Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
The discovery of a toddler in a homeless encampment continues to make waves, all the way to a meeting between the mayor and the CAQ leader. Meanwhile, the city is gearing up to host the world cycling championships, and POP Montreal celebrates its 25th anniversary with a promising lineup. There’s also a bit of sport, a long-awaited return, and some practical reminders to get you through the weekend.
Main Story
Toddler found in encampment shakes up election campaign
The discovery of a one-year-old child living with his mother in an encampment on Notre-Dame Street sent shockwaves this week. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada called the situation a wake-up call and hasn’t ruled out legal action if the province doesn’t act.
Coalition Avenir Québec leader Christine Fréchette met with the mayor and announced a list of promises, including a $250-million emergency fund for homelessness. Her opponents also reacted: Liberal leader Charles Milliard proposes investing an additional $60 million a year to reduce homelessness to zero, while Québec solidaire and the Parti québécois promise to appoint a superminister for homelessness, with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon offering to take on the role himself.
It remains to be seen how much of the promised funds will actually reach the people in need, rather than the administrative bodies responsible for managing these programmes.
At Home
A vigil for Nooran Rezayi, one year later
Monday marks the first anniversary of the death of Nooran Rezayi, a 15-year-old shot by a Longueuil police officer on the South Shore. A commemorative vigil is planned at 6 p.m. in front of a Longueuil police station, with a letter addressed to the government and candidates in the campaign.
Mohamed Noredine Mimoun, coordinator of the Forum Jeunesse de Saint-Michel, laments a lack of transparency. The BEI submitted its report to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions in March, but no decision on possible charges has been made. The family has filed a $2.2-million lawsuit against the police and the city of Longueuil, denouncing force that was “unreasonable and disproportionate.”
New synthetic field for Riverview students
Students at Riverview Elementary School in Verdun inaugurated a $160,000 synthetic soccer field on Friday. The project was funded by a joint donation from the Patrice Bernier Foundation, the GOAL Initiatives Foundation, and GTR Turf.
Former Montreal Impact player Patrice Bernier was on hand. He stressed the importance of a safe place to build confidence and create connections. School principal Tania D’Alessandro added that the field helps students blow off steam and return to class more focused.
The 25th McGill and John Abbott College Pow Wow
The annual McGill University and John Abbott College Pow Wow took place Friday at the MacDonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. For this 25th edition, the event brought together elders, artists, community organizations, and visitors around Indigenous culture.
Kim Tekakwitha Martin, dean of Indigenous education at John Abbott College, emphasized the importance of feeling welcome in public spaces and building relationships in a spirit of reconciliation.
Noteworthy
908 candidates in the running for Quebec elections
The five main parties are fielding a candidate in each of the province’s 127 ridings. There are 386 women candidates, or 43% of the total, the same proportion as in 2022. Advance voting will take place on September 27 and 28.
Conservative Party in disarray
According to a CTV News report, the Conservative caucus is a “fractured mess” as the party holds its retreat in Penticton, British Columbia. Fifteen MPs are questioning Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, and a Nanos poll concludes that Prime Minister Mark Carney has “no obvious challenger.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses ease blood policy
The organization announced Friday a revision of its policy, allowing members to receive blood derivatives but maintaining the ban on whole blood transfusions. Each member must make a personal decision, and donating blood for products is now left to individual conscience.
Practical Corner
World cycling championships disrupt traffic
The UCI Road World Championships will cause significant traffic disruptions in the Montreal area starting Saturday. The cobblestone streets of the Old Port and Mount Royal will be turned into a circuit of hundreds of kilometres from September 20 to 27. It’s best to plan your travels in advance.
Raccoon rabies vaccine baits distributed by air
Nearly 440,000 vaccine baits will be distributed by plane from September 19 to 23 in the Eastern Townships, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec. Authorities are asking residents not to touch or move the baits, which look like a greenish ketchup packet or a khaki ravioli.
Coup de Coeur
The new field at Riverview School reminds us that sometimes a simple play space can transform a school’s daily life. When foundations, businesses, and former players come together to give children a safe place to run, the whole community benefits.
Before Closing
We wish you a weekend full of great discoveries, whether on the cycling routes, in the concert halls, or simply at the park. And if you come across a vaccine bait, leave it alone: it’s doing its job. ☕